Accessibility
We’re looking forward to welcoming you at VAULT Festival. This page contains information about Accessibility at VAULT Festival, if you’d like to get in touch with our Box Office team to discuss access requirements, ask a question, send us feedback or request a call back, please fill in this form. Alternatively ou can email us at [email protected].
Step-Free Access
All performance venues at our main site, The Vaults (Pit, Cavern, Cage, Crypt, Crescent, Studio, The Flair Ground, VOID) and Network Theatre are step-free accessible.
Accessing the Spacement @ The Glitch involves walking down a set of 15 solid steps with a sturdy handrail.
Accessing the Basement @ Vaulty Towers involves walking down a set of 15 slightly uneven steps with an un-sturdy handrail.
Step-Free Accessible directions from Waterloo Station to each of the venues, as well as information about parking & taxi drop off, are included on the individual venue information pages.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our Front of House and Box Office team ([email protected]) in advance if you have any questions or requirements.
Companion and/or Personal Assistance Tickets
We offer free Companion and/or Personal Assistance tickets, so please let us know in advance of your visit if you would like to arrange one.
You can contact us via email ([email protected]) or you can request a call back by using this form to arrange the companion ticket.
We’ll ask for your booking reference number, so that your companion ticket can be attached to your existing booking, or we’re able to process the entire booking for you if requested.
During the checkout, we’ll ask if you have any particular access requirements when attending VAULT Festival. This is so we can pass on this information to our Front of House team on the day, to ensure we can make any necessary arrangements in advance and make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Latecomers & Readmittance
To be more accessible to more people, we request all of our artists to have multiple entry points for latecomers. However, please note that on some occasions where this is not appropriate or suitable for the safety of the performers, latecomers may not be admitted or may have to wait for an appropriate moment to be admitted. Readmittance is not always guaranteed, although we do encourage all of our artists to have a flexible readmittance policy. We encourage audiences to arrive early (15 minutes before the start of the performance) but work hard to get people in if they do arrive late or need to exit and re-enter the space whilst also respecting the safety of the performers.
Accessible Performances
We encourage shows at VAULT Festival, where possible, to present Relaxed, Captioned or Signed performances and Touch Tours. Access performances will be highlighted on our website. On an individual show page, there are a number of icons to look out for. Here’s a quick guide to what they mean.
If you have any questions, it’s worth getting in touch with the Box Office ([email protected]) or requesting a call back by using this form as they’ll be able to help further.
 |
This icon indicates that at least one performance of this event takes place in a Wheelchair Accessible venue. (It usually applies to all performances, but a rare number of performances take place across different venues. Please contact the box office if you are unsure.) |
 |
This icon indicates that at least one performance of this event will be BSL signed. You can see which one(s) on the “Dates & Times” section of the show page. |
 |
This icon indicates that at least one performance of this event will be Captioned for d/Deaf audiences. You can see which one(s) on the “Dates & Times” section of the show page. |
 |
This icon indicates that at least one performance of this event will be Audio Described for audiences with vision impairment or low vision. You can see which one(s) on the “Dates & Times” section of the show page. |
 |
This icon indicates that at least one performance of this event will be Relaxed. You can see which one(s) on the “Dates & Times” section of the show page. |
If you would like to book for an access performance, or would like to request some information on them, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Captioned Performances
At a captioned performance, the words are displayed on a screen (or on more than one screen), placed near the stage, in the set, or via handheld captioning equipment, and can be seen at the same time as they are spoken or sung.
Signed Performances
A BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter will be in a visible position and translate the spoken and heard elements of a performance into BSL.
Touch Tours
Touch tours give visually impaired audience members the opportunity to touch the sets, props and costumes to familiarise themselves, this usually happens ahead of the performance.
Relaxed Performances
Relaxed performances are open to everyone, but the environment has been specifically adapted for audiences and individuals with sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities, and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.
However, it is worth noting that even where performances are advertised as “relaxed”, VAULT Festival can be a busy, bustling and lively place, with music, ambient lighting and other environmental factors that should be considered by audiences in addition to the content of the show they’re coming to see. In general, weekend afternoon performances (2.30pm-6pm) are quieter, brighter and more relaxed – many artists will opt to put their Relaxed performances into these afternoon slots which may be a good choice if the usual environment isn’t quite right for you.
Family Arts Standards
VAULT Festival is committed to providing excellent family experiences, which is why we’re a partner of Family Arts Campaign, and accredited with Family Arts Standards. We’ve put together an incredible range of shows and events that can be enjoyed and appreciated by the whole family, with many events offering family discounts. The programme includes shows that are suitable for all, under 12s, or under 5s – you can find this info listed in each event. Our family show venues are accessible for wheelchair users and buggies, and we have accessible, gender-neutral toilets and baby changing facilities, free drinking water, and plenty of seating for feeding babies, including breastfeeding. If you have any questions about our facilities or would like to discuss your requirements, please email [email protected]
